Pre-provisioning virtual machines in a networked computing environment

ABSTRACT

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for pre-provisioning cloud computing resources such as virtual machines (VMs) in order to achieve faster and more consistent provisioning times. Embodiments of the present invention describe an approach to generate a pre-provisioned pool of virtual machines that are utilized when one or more consumers start to initiate a large volume of requests (e.g., instantiate/populate multiple e-commerce ‘shopping carts’). In a typical embodiment, a selection of an operating system to be associated with a VM is received in a computer data structure. A provisioning of the VM will then be initiated based on the selection of the operating system. Thereafter, at least one selection of at least one software program to be associated with the VM will be received in the computer data structure. The provisioning of the VM can then be completed based on the at least one selection of the at least one software program in response to a provisioning request received in the computer data structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In general, embodiments of the present invention relate to virtualmachines (VM). Specifically, embodiments of the present invention relateto the pre-provisioning of VMs in a networked computing environment(e.g., a cloud computing environment).

BACKGROUND

The networked computing environment (e.g., cloud computing environment)is an enhancement to the predecessor grid environment, whereby multiplegrids and other computation resources may be further enhanced by one ormore additional abstraction layers (e.g., a cloud layer), thus makingdisparate devices appear to an end-consumer as a single pool of seamlessresources. These resources may include such things as physical orlogical computing engines, servers and devices, device memory, storagedevices, among others.

Presently, cloud computing service providers may require highly variableperiods of time (e.g. ranging from several minutes to several hours) toprovision resources requested by consumers. Differences in provisioningspeed are generally a function of different variables, e.g. the type andsophistication of infrastructure utilized in a storage architecture; thearchitecture of a cloud management platform; and methods used toprovision resources. As such, challenges can exist in obtainingpredictable and consistent provisioning times for cloud computingresources such as VMs.

SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach forpre-provisioning cloud computing resources such as virtual machines(VMs) in order to achieve faster and more consistent provisioning times.Embodiments of the present invention describe an approach to generate apre-provisioned pool of virtual machines that are utilized when one ormore consumers start to initiate a large volume of requests (e.g.,instantiate/populate multiple e-commerce ‘shopping carts’). In a typicalembodiment, a selection of an operating system to be associated with aVM is received in a computer data structure. A provisioning of the VMwill then be initiated based on the selection of the operating system.Thereafter, at least one selection of at least one software program tobe associated with the VM will be received in the computer datastructure. The provisioning of the VM can then be completed based on theat least one selection of the at least one software program in responseto a provisioning request received in the computer data structure.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a computer-implementedmethod for pre-provisioning virtual machines (VMs) in a networkedcomputing environment, comprising: receiving, in a computer datastructure, a selection of an operating system to be associated with aVM; starting a provisioning of the VM based on the selection of theoperating system; receiving, in the computer data structure, at leastone selection of at least one software program to be associated with theVM; and responsive to a provisioning request received in the computerdata structure, completing the provisioning of the VM based on the atleast one selection of the at least one software program.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a system forpre-provisioning virtual machines (VMs) in a networked computingenvironment, comprising: a bus; a processor coupled to the bus; and amemory medium coupled to the bus, the memory medium comprisinginstructions to: receive, in a computer data structure, a selection ofan operating system to be associated with a VM; start a provisioning ofthe VM based on the selection of the operating system; receive, in thecomputer data structure, at least one selection of at least one softwareprogram to be associated with the VM; and responsive to a provisioningrequest received in the computer data structure, complete theprovisioning of the VM based on the at least one selection of the atleast one software program.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer programproduct for pre-provisioning virtual machines (VMs) in a networkedcomputing environment, the computer program product comprising acomputer readable storage media, and program instructions stored on thecomputer readable storage media, to: receive, in a computer datastructure, a selection of an operating system to be associated with aVM; initiate a provisioning of the VM based on the selection of theoperating system; receive, in the computer data structure, at least oneselection of at least one software program to be associated with the VM;and responsive to a provisioning request received in the computer datastructure, complete the provisioning of the VM based on the at least oneselection of the at least one software program.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for deployinga system for pre-provisioning virtual machines (VMs) in a networkedcomputing environment, comprising: deploying a computer infrastructurebeing operable to: receive, in a computer data structure, a selection ofan operating system to be associated with a VM; initiate a provisioningof the VM based on the selection of the operating system; receive, inthe computer data structure, at least one selection of at least onesoftware program to be associated with the VM; and responsive to aprovisioning request received in the computer data structure, completethe provisioning of the VM based on the at least one selection of the atleast one software program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing node according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a system diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a method flow diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 depicts another method flow diagram according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyschematic representations, not intended to portray specific parametersof the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typicalembodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered aslimiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numberingrepresents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments now will be described more fully herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsare shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and willfully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may beomitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms “a”, “an”, etc., do notdenote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of atleast one of the referenced items. It will be further understood thatthe terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, or “includes” and/or“including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

As indicated above, embodiments of the present invention provide anapproach for pre-provisioning cloud computing resources such as virtualmachines (VMs) in order to achieve faster and more consistentprovisioning times. Embodiments of the present invention describe anapproach to generate a pre-provisioned pool of virtual machines that areutilized when one or more consumers start to initiate a large volume ofrequests (e.g., instantiate/populate multiple e-commerce ‘shoppingcarts’). In a typical embodiment, a selection of an operating system tobe associated with a VM is received in a computer data structure. Aprovisioning of the VM will then be initiated based on the selection ofthe operating system. Thereafter, at least one selection of at least onesoftware program to be associated with the VM will be received in thecomputer data structure. The provisioning of the VM can then becompleted based on the at least one selection of the at least onesoftware program in response to a provisioning request received in thecomputer data structure.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description of cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded, automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active consumer accounts). Resource usage canbe monitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for boththe provider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). Theconsumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructureincluding network, servers, operating systems, storage, or evenindividual application capabilities, with the possible exception oflimited consumer-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication-hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (laaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitablecloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable ofbeing implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10, there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limitedto, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28,and a bus 18 that couples various system components including systemmemory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a computerreadable signal medium, which may include a propagated data signal withcomputer readable program code embodied therein (e.g., in baseband or aspart of a carrier wave). Such a propagated signal may take any of avariety of forms including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic,optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signalmedium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computerreadable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, ortransport a program for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium including, but not limited to, wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, radio-frequency (RF), etc., or anysuitable combination of the foregoing.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a consumer to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via I/O interfaces22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 can communicate with one ormore networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide areanetwork (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via networkadapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20 communicates with the othercomponents of computer system/server 12 via bus 18. It should beunderstood that although not shown, other hardware and/or softwarecomponents could be used in conjunction with computer system/server 12.Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers,redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems,tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as private, community,public, or hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms, and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 2) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 3 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include mainframes. In oneexample, IBM® zSeries® systems and RISC (Reduced Instruction SetComputer) architecture based servers. In one example, IBM pSeries®systems, IBM xSeries® systems, IBM BladeCenter® systems, storagedevices, networks, and networking components. Examples of softwarecomponents include network application server software. In one example,IBM WebSphere® application server software and database software. In oneexample, IBM DB2® database software. (IBM, zSeries, pSeries, xSeries,BladeCenter, WebSphere, and DB2 are trademarks of International BusinessMachines Corporation registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.)

Virtualization layer 62 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers;virtual storage; virtual networks, including virtual private networks;virtual applications and operating systems; and virtual clients.

In one example, management layer 64 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning provides dynamic procurement of computingresources and other resources that are utilized to perform tasks withinthe cloud computing environment. Metering and pricing provide costtracking as resources are utilized within the cloud computingenvironment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.Consumer portal provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management providescloud computing resource allocation and management such that requiredservice levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planning andfulfillment provides pre-arrangement for, and procurement of, cloudcomputing resources for which a future requirement is anticipated inaccordance with an SLA. Further shown in management layer is VMpre-provisioning function, which represents the functionality that isprovided under the embodiments of the present invention.

Workloads layer 66 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation; software development and lifecycle management; virtualclassroom education delivery; data analytics processing; transactionprocessing; and consumer data storage and backup. As mentioned above,all of the foregoing examples described with respect to FIG. 3 areillustrative only, and the invention is not limited to these examples.

It is understood that all functions of the present invention asdescribed herein typically may be performed by the VM pre-provisioningfunctionality (of management layer 64, which can be tangibly embodied asmodules of program code 42 of program/utility 40 (FIG. 1). However, thisneed not be the case. Rather, the functionality recited herein could becarried out/implemented and/or enabled by any of the layers 60-66 shownin FIG. 3.

It is reiterated that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather, theembodiments of the present invention are intended to be implemented withany type of networked computing environment now known or laterdeveloped.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a system diagram according to an embodiment ofthe present invention is shown. It is understood that although thepre-provisioning functions described herein occur pursuant to acustomer/user's request, this need not be the case. Rather, thefunctionality described herein could occur in response to an actiontaken by another system. In any event, as shown in FIG. 4, a virtualmachine pre-provisioning engine (engine 70) is depicted. In a typicalembodiment, engine 70 can be implemented as one or more programs 40 oncomputer system 12 of FIG. 1, and is capable of implementing thefunctionality described herein as shown in management layer 64 of FIG.3. Along these lines, engine 70 can comprise a rules engine or the liketo implement the functionality hereunder.

The functions of engine 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4and 5 collectively. As shown, in step S1, a user/consumer 76 willinitiate the VM creation process, and select an operating system (OS) instep S2. In response, engine 70 will begin provisioning a VM 80 (of pool82) with the selected OS. In a typical embodiment, the selection is madevia an operation system selection (consumer) screen/interface 76 in stepS3. In step S4, user/consumer 76 will enter a software installable(e.g., also referred to herein as a “software selection”) (consumer)screen/interface 76 and select a set (at least one) of softwareprograms. For each software program selected, engine 70 will add a taskto a queue 78 to install the selected software program(s). Collectively,this process is shown in steps S5-S8. In addition, it is understood thatengine 70 can have access to a database/library 72 of OS's and/orsoftware programs. Regardless, in step S9, user/consumer 76 will enter anetwork configuration (consumer) screen/interface 76. Via the networkconfiguration interface 74, user/consumer 76 will make a selectionallowing access in step S10 to the respective software programs forinstallation. In step S11, engine 70 will add a task to queue 78 toconfigure any applicable network firewall to allow the requested accessto the selected software programs. User/consumer 76 will then issue arequest to complete the VM pre-provisioning. One example of how such arequest can be issued by user/consumer 76, is for user/consumer 76 to‘add’ the requested VM 80 to his/her virtual shopping cart such as shownin step S12. In another example, a pre-provisioned virtual machine 80from pool 82 could be utilized by engine 70 instantiate an electronicshopping cart (e.g., for an e-commerce application). Regardless, engine70 will complete all tasks in queue 78 in step S13 thereby completingthe pre-provisioning of the VM. It is understood that although threeinterfaces 74 and VMs 80 are depicted in FIG. 4, any quantity could beaccommodated hereunder.

This process is further described in conjunction with FIG. 6. Asdepicted, in step T1, a selection of an operating system to beassociated with a VM is received in a computer data structure (e.g.,memory of 28 of computer system FIG. 1). In step T2, a provisioning ofthe VM is started based on the selection of the operating system. Instep T3, at least one selection of at least one software program to beassociated with the VM is received in the computer data structure. Instep T4, the provisioning of the VM is completed based on the at leastone selection of the at least one software program in response to aprovisioning request received in the computer data structure.

While shown and described herein as a VM pre-provisioning solution, itis understood that the invention further provides various alternativeembodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides acomputer-readable/useable medium that includes computer program code toenable a computer infrastructure to provide VM pre-provisioningfunctionality as discussed herein. To this extent, thecomputer-readable/useable medium includes program code that implementseach of the various processes of the invention. It is understood thatthe terms computer-readable medium or computer-useable medium compriseone or more of any type of physical embodiment of the program code. Inparticular, the computer-readable/useable medium can comprise programcode embodied on one or more portable storage articles of manufacture(e.g., a compact disc, a magnetic disk, a tape, etc.), on one or moredata storage portions of a computing device, such as memory 28 (FIG. 1)and/or storage system 34 (FIG. 1) (e.g., a fixed disk, a read-onlymemory, a random access memory, a cache memory, etc.).

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method that performs theprocess of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or feebasis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, couldoffer to provide VM pre-provisioning functionality. In this case, theservice provider can create, maintain, support, etc., a computerinfrastructure, such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1) that performs theprocesses of the invention for one or more consumers. In return, theservice provider can receive payment from the consumer(s) under asubscription and/or fee agreement and/or the service provider canreceive payment from the sale of advertising content to one or morethird parties.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides acomputer-implemented method for VM pre-provisioning. In this case, acomputer infrastructure, such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1), can beprovided and one or more systems for performing the processes of theinvention can be obtained (e.g., created, purchased, used, modified,etc.) and deployed to the computer infrastructure. To this extent, thedeployment of a system can comprise one or more of: (1) installingprogram code on a computing device, such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1),from a computer-readable medium; (2) adding one or more computingdevices to the computer infrastructure; and (3) incorporating and/ormodifying one or more existing systems of the computer infrastructure toenable the computer infrastructure to perform the processes of theinvention.

As used herein, it is understood that the terms “program code” and“computer program code” are synonymous and mean any expression, in anylanguage, code, or notation, of a set of instructions intended to causea computing device having an information processing capability toperform a particular function either directly or after either or both ofthe following: (a) conversion to another language, code, or notation;and/or (b) reproduction in a different material form. To this extent,program code can be embodied as one or more of: an application/softwareprogram, component software/a library of functions, an operating system,a basic device system/driver for a particular computing device, and thelike.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode can be provided hereunder and can include at least one processorcommunicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, to memory elementsthrough a system bus. The memory elements can include, but are notlimited to, local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, bulk storage, and cache memories that provide temporary storage ofat least some program code in order to reduce the number of times codemust be retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/outputand/or other external devices (including, but not limited to, keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening device controllers.

Network adapters also may be coupled to the system to enable the dataprocessing system to become coupled to other data processing systems,remote printers, storage devices, and/or the like, through anycombination of intervening private or public networks. Illustrativenetwork adapters include, but are not limited to, modems, cable modems,and Ethernet cards.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations arepossible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to aperson skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

1. A computer-implemented method for pre-provisioning virtual machines(VMs) in a networked computing environment, comprising: receiving, in acomputer data structure, a selection of an operating system to beassociated with a VM; initiating a provisioning of the VM based on theselection of the operating system; receiving, in the computer datastructure, at least one selection of at least one software program to beassociated with the VM; and responsive to a provisioning requestreceived in the computer data structure, completing the provisioning ofthe VM based on the at least one selection of the at least one softwareprogram.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising adding a first task to a task queue, in response to thereceiving of the selection of at least one software program.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising allowingaccess to the at least one software program.
 4. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 3, the allowing comprising adding a second task to thetask queue to reconfigure a network firewall.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, the operating system beingselected by a consumer via an operating system selection consumerinterface.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the at leastone software program being selected by a consumer via a softwareselection consumer interface.
 7. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, the networked computing environment comprising a cloudcomputing environment.
 8. A system for pre-provisioning virtual machines(VMs) in a networked computing environment, comprising: a bus; aprocessor coupled to the bus; and a memory medium coupled to the bus,the memory medium comprising instructions to: receive, in a computerdata structure, a selection of an operating system to be associated witha VM; initiate a provisioning of the VM based on the selection of theoperating system; receive, in the computer data structure, at least oneselection of at least one software program to be associated with the VM;and responsive to a provisioning request received in the computer datastructure, complete the provisioning of the VM based on the at least oneselection of the at least one software program.
 9. The system of claim8, the memory medium further comprising instructions to add a first taskto a task queue, in response to the receiving of the selection of atleast one software program.
 10. The system of claim 9, the memory mediumfurther comprising instructions to allow access to the at least onesoftware program.
 11. The system of claim 10, the memory medium furthercomprising instructions to add a second task to the task queue toreconfigure a network firewall.
 12. The system of claim 8, the operatingsystem being selected by a consumer via an operating system selectionconsumer interface.
 13. The system of claim 8, the at least one softwareprogram being selected by a consumer via a software selection consumerinterface.
 14. The system of claim 8, the networked computingenvironment comprising a cloud computing environment.
 15. A computerprogram product for pre-provisioning virtual machines (VMs) in anetworked computing environment, the computer program product comprisinga computer readable storage media, and program instructions stored onthe computer readable storage media, to: receive, in a computer datastructure, a selection of an operating system to be associated with aVM; initiate a provisioning of the VM based on the selection of theoperating system; receive, in the computer data structure, at least oneselection of at least one software program to be associated with the VM;and responsive to a provisioning request received in the computer datastructure, complete the provisioning of the VM based on the at least oneselection of the at least one software program.
 16. The computer programproduct of claim 15, the computer readable storage media furthercomprising instructions to add a first task to a task queue, in responseto the receiving of the selection of at least one software program. 17.The computer program product of claim 16, the computer readable storagemedia further comprising instructions to allow access to the at leastone software program.
 18. The computer program product of claim 17, thecomputer readable storage media further comprising instructions to add asecond task to the task queue to reconfigure a network firewall.
 19. Thecomputer program product of claim 15, the operating system beingselected by a consumer via an operating system selection consumerinterface.
 20. The computer program product of claim 15, the at leastone software program being selected by a consumer via a softwareselection consumer interface.
 21. The computer program product of claim15, the networked computing environment comprising a cloud computingenvironment.
 22. A method for deploying a system for pre-provisioningvirtual machines (VMs) in a networked computing environment, comprising:deploying a computer infrastructure being operable to: receive, in acomputer data structure, a selection of an operating system to beassociated with a VM; initiate a provisioning of the VM based on theselection of the operating system; receive, in the computer datastructure, at least one selection of at least one software program to beassociated with the VM; and responsive to a provisioning requestreceived in the computer data structure complete the provisioning of theVM based on the at least one selection of the at least one softwareprogram.